Even on a team that hit 220 homers during the 1997 season, Hall of Famer Jim Thome stood out. The Tribe’s first baseman clobbered 40 of his teams total that year, and he and he helped Cleveland get to their first World Series since 1948, losing a heart-breaking seventh game to the Florida Marlins. Thome would finish his career with 612 home runs, eighth on the all-time list and one of only nine players to hit over 600 home runs. Thome was elected to the Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 2018.

                This offered size 48 Russell Athletic Cleveland Indians button-down home jersey was worn by newly elected Hall of Famer Jim Thome during the 1997 season. This jersey has “Indians” beautifully scripted across the chest in red and navy blue tackle twill with a paraph. Red piping runs around the collar and down both sides of the buttons and “THOME” is sewn on in red and navy blue tackle twill on a matching white name plate on the back of the jersey. Thome’s number “25” is also sewn on in red and navy blue tackle twill on the back. The left sleeve has the “Chief Wahoo” patch sewn on and the right sleeve has a “JACKIE ROBINSON 50TH BREAKING BARRIERS 1947-1997” patch and the embroidered Russell Athletic logo in red and blue, with each sleeve having red piping an inch off the ends. The Russell Athletic tag is sewn on the bottom front left tail with a white tag below it that reads “1997”. Thome signed his name in black marker on the top of the “5” on the back of the jersey and inscribed “#25”. This jersey displays light to moderate use and comes with a LOA from noted game used jersey expert Dave Miedema. There is also a COA from Sports Investments Inc. who state that the "Jersey originates from the collection of the Montgomery Inn restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jersey was given to Montgomery Inn by Thome". Additionally, there is a COA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (C99729) for his signature.

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